The Miami-Dade County Public Schools district (MDCPS) has six controlled choice boundaries, and 14 choice schools that are located in the center of the district. In Miami parents can choose a school for their child through Controlled Choice (controlled open enrollment). Through the "I Choose!" initiative, Miami-Dade has increased its school offerings. These choices now include: All Academy model schools /commuter schools, a broad array of magnet and school theme programs, charter schools and satellite centers. Applications for all schools are due in mid-January. Students with special needs may be eligible to receive a McKay Scholarship to attend a private school.
Under the federal No Child Left Behind law, students attending a Title I school designated as "in need of improvement" have the right to attend a higher-performing school in the district.